Aging with Grace

In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.

And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger-something better, pushing right back.

Albert Camus

As I walked out into the courtyard of the St. Regis that early winter morning, the lanterns were still lit from the night before. The sun was just beginning to rise over the mountain top and I could see the dawn of what would be a perfect day. Unfortunately, I was staying at the hotel for a business trip. Instead of getting in line for the gondola, after a leisurely breakfast including one of the Bloody Marys the St Regis is famous for, I was headed to an early morning business meeting. As I stopped for a moment to snap the photo, I smiled. The sun was climbing it’s way up into the welcoming blue sky. There was not a cloud in sight to dim its ascension. Even the anticipated day of sitting at a conference table, with the temperature set at freezing to make sure everyone remained awake, couldn’t destroy the moment.

It’s the perfect sunrises I hang on to when the horizon is covered in dark clouds. We have to learn to practice waiting. One morning, our patience will be rewarded and we will awake to a promising new day.